North Korea releases American soldier after two months

Washington: North Korea has released American soldier Travis King after he spent more than two months in their custody.

This development has come as a relief, as his detention had threatened to escalate tensions between the two countries.

Travis King, a 23-year-old soldier from Wisconsin who joined the US Army in 2021, had spent weeks in jail in South Korea earlier this year.

His decision to cross the border into North Korea in July added to the complexity of his situation.

King's relatives had previously expressed concerns about his mental health, which had deteriorated following the death of his seven-year-old cousin in February.

The American authorities expressed their gratitude to Sweden and China for their roles in facilitating King's release.

However, they emphasized that this action should not be interpreted as a sign of diplomatic progress with North Korea.

The release saw Travis King flown across the border from North Korea to the Chinese city of Dandong, where he met with US Ambassador to China Nicholas Burns.

As of now, the Pentagon has not announced any actions or charges against Travis King.